Citizenship by Merit

Residencies & citizenships Malta
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Has anyone started this program or considering it?

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Hi @Kristina if you do find anyone going through the program please report back, I think it would be of great interest to many.

I’ll paste in a summary about the program we received by a Maltese Law firm some months ago:

Investment Requirements

The Citizenship by Merit route does not require a fixed financial contribution. Instead, applicants must:

  • Commence the process by visiting Malta and submitting a residence application.
  • Submit a comprehensive proposal including the background of the applicant, the proposed contribution/exceptional service to Malta and a post-naturalisation plan.
  • Lease or purchase a residential property in Malta.
  • Maintain a personal and ongoing link with Malta

Process & Timeline

The applicant including any family members are first required to visit Malta to submit a residence application. A residence card is typically issued within one month from such application.

Subsequently, a comprehensive proposal letter is prepared outlining the applicant’s background, proposed contribution/service, and post-naturalisation plans. If the Agency is satisfied with the proposal, initial due diligence is conducted and administrative fees are paid.

The proposal is then referred to an Evaluation Board, which may request further information or interviews before recommending approval or rejection to the Minister. If approved, a Letter of Approval in Principle is issued.

The applicant may then file a formal application for citizenship based on merit, supported by evidence of an 8-month legal residence in Malta, ownership or lease of adequate property, proof of investment, language proficiency in English or Maltese, and established ties with Malta.

The Agency conducts a second round of due diligence and collects further administrative fees before forwarding the complete application to the Evaluation Board. Upon a favourable recommendation, the Minister may approve the application, and a Letter of Approval is issued.

The applicant must then take the Oath of Allegiance within six months (extendable), having signed a written undertaking to uphold ongoing obligations.

Benefits

  • Visa-free travel to over 190 countries including USA, Canada, UK & EU.
  • Ability to include the spouse/partner and children up to the age of 28 in the same application.
  • Right to settle, study, work, invest, retire in all the 27 European Union countries.
  • Malta allows dual and multiple citizenship.
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